Kiyonori Kikutake – Between land and Sea

Between Land and Sea is a comprehensive assessment of architect Kiyonori Kikutake’s work, highlighting his lifelong creation of constantly evolving constructions floating above land and sea. For more than half a century, the visionary has pursued metabolic architecture, embracing forces of renewal, recycling and transformation.

The publication documents some of the architect’s pivotal works, spanning the late 1950s to today – including the Sky House, Hotel Tōkōen, the Izumo Administration Building and the ongoing Marine/Ocean City project. Abundantly illustrated with archival drawings and period and contemporary photographs, Between Land and Sea provides compelling perspectives on the practices, discourses and production contexts of Kikutake’s work as well as the architecture and urbanism of postwar Japan.

Writings by Kikutake himself, the viewpoints of disciples including Toyō Itō as well essays and analyses provide insights into the methods and modes of practice of the architect, who serves as a vital inspiration for Japanese architectural practice today.